• auzy@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    There are so many android devices out there that don’t even use the Google Play store…

    In fact, you’re not even allowed to use Google services and play store in China and I thought Samsung ships their own store don’t they?

    Windows uses Amazon appstore for Android too

    A lot of Android roms likely use different app stores too

    In contrast, Apple has 1 store. And when pebble was released before their own watch, they delayed adding the app to the store 3 weeks which basically killed them.

    You can also disable play store on pixel phones (I just checked).

    Short of advertising competing app stores front page or offering to install them, not sure what else they can do?

    • kirk781@discuss.tchncs.de
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      4 months ago

      Many apps rely on Play Integrity API now which means if Play Store is completely rid off, problems will arise. The latest example was Authy not working on Graphene OS.

      Play Store can be disabled and alternatives like Aurora Store can be used however any paid apps can only be linked/used via the Play Store. Except for F Droid, other app stores like what Samsung ships are either full of even lower quality (and quantity) apps. (It has few exclusives but most can be sideloaded).

      Only China is a proper example because they have a complete ecosystem outside of Google. From their social networking companies to payment mechanisms, they are usually done by Chinese companies. Huawei has a proper phone outside of Google services, I think, from a major Chinese OEM.

      Proper feature parity will be achieved when users need not rely on Play Store as a single stop shop.